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…..'A sense of humour lends you poise, it gives you balance and it helps you to bend without breaking'…..

(HH Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda)

Menory Lane - a mini series Part 4

Continuing the extracts from pre-blog newsletters
from Sandeepany Sadhanalaya.

(Prior to this was the news of a relapse in
Rheumatoid Arthritis - had the condition since childhood and well managed,
but…)

From ANL11
- May 2012...STIFF BUT STILL STANDING…

The old
“Arthur” is still hanging around so my climbs to the temple have been curtailed
for the time being. Am also sitting right at the back of the hall for classes
so that can get up and stretch when I need to. Rather
frustrating, but can only do what the body will allow.... which is very
annoying for a vedantin who is trying to move beyond the myth of body-mind-intellect!!!

Whilst I
missed a bit of the Ram Navami celebrations, I was able to attend the cultural
program in the evening. We are such a bunch of talent I tell you! This is Lamp (from Melbourne – not actually on the course, but staying here six
months doing seva) who is a wonderful dancer. I took mainly video, but did snap
this last scene of the Ramayana vignette; the wardrobe folk have to be
congratulated most, making a great deal out of practically
nothing. Tremendous effort.

Then we had
the inaugaral Kalaateet festival of young Indian musical talent. It was held in
our open air auditorium and for the entire weekend we were blessed with great
sounds, good food and fresh company. This was organised by the Naada Bindu team
and we again had the pleasure of meeting with Prabodini-ji and Himanshu-ji as
well as Ramaa-ji, who is the dance principal. I enjoyed all on offer, but was
particularly impressed by a young tabla player – female; tradition holds this
to be an instrument of men so it was good to see.

Next came
Vishu (etc.) new year for Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Another excuse for a
feast on banana leaves cooked under the guidance of Samvid-ji and a cultural
show in the evening. This time we had South Indian tale of Siva and Parvati
(very excitingly danced) for part and a Punjabi family mela for the other....
baley baley baley!!

Recently
three of my fellow brahmacharinis decided that they would make application for having
refrigerators in their rooms (here in CV –in the hostels they would definitely
not be permitted); I had been not intending to succumb, but as am now having to
be rather more careful with diet (for RA reasons, not gut), I also applied.
Permission was a little reluctantly given; the idea of this course is to live
as simply as possible on what is made available to us and in principle I have
every reason to consider that appropriate, so it pains me rather that my body
is governing this decision. However, as Samvid-ji said, health must come first
here for the idea is to complete two years and re-enter the world – there is no the expectation of tapas
and transcendence.

So am now the slightly bemused owner of a pricey little unit
gurgling away quietly to itself in the bathroom nook. Our meals are always
tasty and filling, but are almost totally based on potato and tomato which
are two of the main aggravants for RA. I had been ignoring the increasing
stiffness but the recent flare-up and ongoing trouble has meant that for the
past three weeks have avoided everything bar the breakfasts and rotis from
lunch.

I make soup
or have the rotis with curd and cucumber, mungs sprouted daily, heaps of fruit,
dates, oats and nuts. General health has improved, just need the bones to agree! I am so lucky to have an Acharya who absolutely understands the 'boney' situation!
The spiking pain has brought a few tears I am ashamed to report – but am coming
to terms with the resurgence and will overcome it as have done so many times
before. A contributing factor has to be the aging process itself and have also
concluded that there is a spiritual element, in that sadhana challenges of
patience and acceptance are being largely tested as well as assessing the
deeper vasanas.

Anyway, am still not hauling this bag of bones up the big hill
to mandir so missing morning chanting. In the evening there is a car ride
available, so most evenings can attend satsang at least. Am okay in class as
long as it doesn't
extend too far beyond an hour, for sitting longer than that results in
increased stiffness and soreness.

Yam, am finding time to read these quickly but not to comment much, but just had to say how interesting I find them. So sorry to hear that you have RA and hope it's now back under control. I have a friend with it and know how painful it can be.